Rotary engine.



H. A. KING.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912.

1,046,607, Patented Dec. 10,1912. 5 snfimysnnm 1.

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H. 'A. KING.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912.

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H. A. KING.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912,

7 1,046,607. Patented Dc. 10, 1912. V

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HOMER ARTHUR KING, OF COLTON, CALIFORNIA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

Application filed March 12, 1912. Serial No. 683,191.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER ARTHUR KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colton, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented a new and useful Rotary Engine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of engines, and particularly of the rotary type, preferably run by steam.

As one of the objects of the invention it is the aim toprovide a multiple cylinder engine, adapt-ed more particularly upon sea-going vessels, and constructed in such a manner as to propel one or more propellers in opposite directions. The operating of the propellers in opposite directions produces considerable power, owing to the propellers acting against opposing currents.

A further object of the invent-ion is to improve and simplify the structure in the Letters Patent, dated November 28, 1911, No. 1,010,378.

There are disclosed in the drawings certain features of construction, but in practical fields these features may necessitate alterations, to which the patentee is entitled, provided the alterations are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the improved multiple cylinder engine, showing the same adapted for propelling two propellers in opposite directions. Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1, in which the number of cylinders are increased. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional View on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail View of one of the disk valves 37.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 1 designates the casing of a multiple cylinder engine, which is provided with a plurality of steam chambers 1 while 1 denotes a plurality of rotors, each having pistons 15, upon opposite sides, adapted to move in the steam chamber 1". The rotors are provided with exhaust ports 12, through which the utilized steam exhausts, in order to aid the usual exhaust ports 13 of the steam chamber. 7

In Fig. 1 there are two propelling shafts low shaft 2 as at 2 while the rotor of the other cylinder in Fig. 1 rotates with the solid shaft 2. The ports 12 of one of the rotors in Fig. 1 merge into the ports 12 of the solid shaft, while the ports of the other rotor in Fig. 1 merge into the ports 12 adjacent the hollow shaft.

In Fig. 2 there are four cylinders, each having a steam chamber, and the rotors 1 in two of the cylinders rotate with the hollow shaft, while the rotors similarly desig nated of the other cylinders rotate with the solid shaft. The auxiliary exhaust ports 12 and 12 and 12 are arranged similar to those in Fig. 1. Also in Fig. 2 a propeller 33 rotates with the hollow shaft, and a propeller 32 rotates with the solid shaft. Constructed between the cylinders, referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, are steam chests 7, into which steam is admitted, by way of the ports 9, while in Fig. 1 there is only one'steam chest 7 shown, there being a single inlet port 9 for the steam. Steam from the steam chests is admitted to the steam chambers 1 by way of the ports 10, there being only two shown in Fig. 1. The ports 10 of the cylinder on the left in Fig. 1 are right angles to those of the cylinder on the right, therefore the ports 10 of the cylinder on the left are not shown. This arrangement of the ports 10 is followed out in every other cylinder shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that there are two disk valves 37 mounted in the steam chest 7, one movable with the solid shaft at 37*, while the other is keyed at 37 to the hollow shaft. It is to be remembered that the rotors, shown in Fig. 1 travel in opposite directions, one acting to rotate the solid shaft in one direction, while the other rotor operates the hollow shaft in the other direct-ion, and as said shafts rot-ate'the openings 10 of the disk valves 37 intermittently register with the ports 9 and 10, thereby alternately admitting steam into the steam in turn held in close contact withthe cylinder casings in a likewise manner. The set plate valves are provided with segmental slot ports 8*, which register with the ports 9 and 10, so as to admit the steam into the steam chest, and from the chest to the steam chambers l", by way of the ports 10. Stop lugs 28 roject from the cylinder casings through t e segmental slot ports 8*, in order,

to limit the set plate valves in one direction or the other. These set plate valves do not rotate with the shafts, but are adjustable independent of the shaft,and relative to the disk valve especially their ports 10*, by virtue of the gears .29 and levers 30, the teeth of which gears 29 mesh with. the teeth of the set plate valve 8. In Fig. 1 there is only one gear 29, and one lever 30 shown, owing to the fact that the others are dis posed at right angles thereto. the levers 30 and the gears 29, the positions of the set plate valve may be regulated for a short stroke, by the direct pressure of steam, or for a long stroke. In adjusting the set plate valve for a long stroke, the engine is run by steam expansion. The arrangement and structure of the disk valve 37 and the set plate valve 8, in Fig. 2 are substantially similar to those in Fig. 1, with the exception that two disk valves rotate with the solid-shaft, and two with the hollow shaft, but the operation and result are identical to those of Fig. 1.

Each cylinder is provided with two offset casings 27 arranged opposite one another. Each pair of offset casings 27 of one cylinder, is arranged at right angles to the offset casings of the other cylinder, and in Fig. 2 this arrangement alternates. Mounted to rock in the offset casings 27 are members 18 having arms 19 movable therewith. Projecting radially from the members 18 are arms 18 to which segmental arms 18 are connected. These offset casings 27 include the segmental passages 27 in which the abutments 16 are movable. These segmental passages 27 merge into the steam chambers, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:. The abutments 16 are provided with packing rings 16, in order to provide steam tight joints. The segmental arms 18 enter'the wall 27 c of the offset casings 27, and are provided with one or more hinged connections 17 with the abutment. At the point where the segmental arms 18 pass through the wall of the offset casings 27 the packing 27 is arranged.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it

will be seen that a head member 22 is keyed to one of the shafts, so as to revolve therewith. Each arm of this revolving head member is provided with an anti-fractional member 23, to engage the segmental or curved portion of each lever 25, which is pivoted at 25 to the cylinder casings. The

straight extension 25 of each lever 25 is- By virtue of provided with a link connection 20 with one of the arms 19 of each member 18, while the other arm 19 of each member 18 has a link 19 connected to it. Each link 19 is in turn pivoted to a short curved lever 26, also pivotallymounted at 25 The levers 25 and 26 have link connections21, so that as one of the anti-frictional members or wheels 23 oscillates one of the levers 25, one of the short levers 26 is oscillated inunison, and vice versa. As the head member 22 revolves, the levers 25 and 26 are in turn actuated, in order to rock the members 18.

When the members 18 are rocked, the abut-V ments are moved through the passages 27 and into and from the path of the traveling pistons 15. The object in providing the hinge connections 17 is to permit the abutments to accommodate themselves to the curvature of the passage-ways 27 and the curvature of the steam chambers, as shown in Fig. 4.

In the operatlon of'this improved multiple cylinder engine, steam from the steam chest enters the steam chamber 1", by way of the ports 10, thereby acting upon the pistons. It will be seen that the pistons, the rotors, andeither the solid'or hollow shaft rotate as one body, and being that the head the shaft.

The curvature 35 of each abutment conforms to the curvature of the outer portion of each steam chamber 1 of each cylinder, when the abutment is withdrawn from the path of the piston.

From the foregoing it is to be noted that there has been devised a simple and efficient multiple cylinder engine, more especially adapted for operating propellers .in opposite directions, so as to act against opposing currents, in order to drive sea goin vessels'at considerable speed, and one whic has been 1 found practicable.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. In a multiplecylinder engine comprising casings having steam chambers and provided with oppositely revoluble rotors having pistons movable in said chambers, said casings having offset casings including segmental curved passage-ways, reciprocating piston like abutments operable in said segmental passage-waysandadapted-to partially follow the pistons of the rotors as they move in the steam chambers, and connections between the reciprocating piston like abutments andthe rotors, said connections including annular members rockable in said offset casings having radial arms, segmental arms connected to said radial arms and constructed concentric with the rockable members and passing through said segmental passage-ways, sa1d segmental arms having connections with said abutments.

2. In a multiple cylinder engine comprising casings having steam chambers and provided with oppositely revoluble rotors having pistons movable in said chambers, said casings having offset casings including segmental curved passage-ways merging into the steam chambers, piston like two part abutments reciprocating in said passageways and partially into the steam chambers so as to partially follow the pistons of the rotors as said pistons move in the steam chambers, rocking members mounted in the offset casings having segmental curved arms, each part of said abutments having an independent hinged connection with each segmental curved arm, said connection constituting means to permit each part to move independently and relatively to the other part, so as to allow the abutments to accommodate themselves to the passage-ways and said steam chambers, and means of connection between the rocking members and the rotors.

3. In a multiple cylinder engine comprising casings having steam chambers and provided with oppositely revoluble rotors having pistons movable in said chambers, said casings having offset casings including segmental curved passage-ways merging into the steam chambers, piston like abutments reciprocating in said passage-ways and partially into the steam chambers so as to partially follow the pistons of the rotors as said pistons move in the steam chambers, rocking members mounted in the offset casings having radially extending arms terminating in segmental curved arms, concentric with said rocking members and movable through the segmental curved passage-ways, one or more hinged connections between the curvedv arms and the abutments, said connections constituting means to permit the abutments as they move to accommodate themselves to the passage-ways and said steam chambers, levers and link connections between every two rocking members of each cylinder, and means actuated by the rotors for operating the levers and link connections, for rocking the rocking members, whereby the abutments are reciprocated through the segmental passage-ways.

4. In a multiple cylinder engine comprising casings having steam chambers and pro vided with oppositely revoluble rotors having pistons movable in said chambers, said casings having oflset casings including segmental curved passage-waysmerging into the steam chambers, *piston like abutments reciprocating in saidvpassage-ways and partially into the steam chambers so as to partially follow the pistons of the rotors as said pistons move in the steam chambers, rocking members mounted in the offset casings having radially extending arms terminating in segmental curved arms concentric with said rocking members and movable through the segmental curved passageways, one or more hinged connections between the curved arms and the abutments, said connections constituting means to permit the abutments as they move to accommodate themselves to the passage-ways and said steam chambers, levers and link connections between every two rocking members of each cylinder, telescoping shafts on which said rotors are mounted, and head members operated by said shafts for actuating said levers and link connections for rocking the rocking members.

5. In a multiple engine comprising casings having steam chambers and provided with oppositely revoluble rotors having pistons movable in said chambers, steam chests arranged between said casings, inletports to said steam chests, ports connecting the steam chests and the steam chambers, disk valves and set plate valves for controlling said steam inlet ports and ports between the steam chests and the steam chambers, lever actuated gears for actuating the set plate valves, said casings having offset casings including segmental passage-ways merging intothe steam chambers, piston like abutments reciprocating in saidpassage-ways and partially into the steam chambers so as 'to partially follow the pistons of the rotors as said pistons move in the steam chambers, telescoping shafts with which the rotors are movable, said shafts actuating the disk valve for intermittently controlling said ports, and connections between said abutments and the shafts for reciprocating the piston like abutments, said connections ineluding annular rocking members mounted in. said ofiset casings having, radial arms, segmental curved arms connected to said radial arms and constructed concentric with said rocking members and movable through said segmental passage-ways, and one or more hinged connections between said segmental arms and said abutments.

6. In a multiple engine comprising casings having steam chambers and provided with oppositely revoluble rotors having pistons movable in said chambers, steam chests arranged between said casings, inlet ports to said steam chests, ports connecting the steam chests and the steam chambers, disk valves and set plate valves for controlling said steam inlet ports and ports between the steam chests and the steam chambers, lever actuated gears for actuating the set. plate Valves, said casings having offset casings 1ncluding segmental passage-ways merging into the steam chambers, piston like abutments reciprocating in said passage-ways and partially into the steam chambers so as to partially follow the pistons of the rotors as said pistons move, in the steam chambers, telescoping shafts with which the rotors aremovable, said shafts actuating the disk valve for intermittently controlling said ports, rocking members mounted in'said offset cas ings having radially extending arms termi nating in segmental curved arms concentrlc with said rocking members and operating through the passage-ways, one or more hinged connections with said abutments, said hinged connections constituting means to permit the abutments to accommodatethemselves to the passage-ways and the steam chambers, and connections between said shafts and the rocking members. 7. In a rotary engine having a rotor provided with substantially oppositely arranged pistons, a casing inclosing said rotor and havf ing anannular steam chamber in which the pistons operate,said casinghavingoffsetcas ings, rocking members mounted in said offset casings and provided with radially extend-j ing arms terminating in segmental curved arms concentric'with said rocking members,f the offset casings having segmental passagei ways merging into the steam chamber, and piston like abutments hingedly connected to? said segmental arms and adapted to follow in the rear of said pistons and partially into the steam chamber, and means for operating; said rocking member. 8. In a rotary engine having a rotor provided with substantially oppositely arranged i pistons, a casing inclosing said rotor and having an annular steam chamber in which: said pistons operate, opposite offset casings forming parts of the first casing and provided with segmental curved passage-ways merging tangentially into said steam chamber, two part abutments reciprocating in said passage-ways, rocking members, with which said passage-ways are concentric, and

mounted in said offset casings, segmental.

curved arms concentric with andvconnected to said rocking members, and independent connections between said parts of each abutment and each curved arm, whereby said parts move independently of and relatively to one another, as said abutment passes from said pistons operate, opposite offset casings forming parts of the first casing and provided with segmental curved passage-ways merging tangentially into said steam chamber, two part abutments reciprocating in said passage-ways, rocking members, with which said passage-ways are concentric, and mounted in said offset casings, segmental curved arms concentric with and connected to said rocking members, and independent connections between said parts of each abutment and each curved arm, whereby said parts move independently of and relatively to one another, as said abutment passes from each passageway-partially into the steam chamber, said abutments having curved surfaces adapted to conform to the curvature of the outer wall of the steam chamber when the abutments are thrown from the path of the pistons, and connections between the rocking members and therotor for operating the abutments.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specificationin the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HOMER ARTHUR KING. Witnesses:

SETH HARTLEY,

A. B. RUssnLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. Y 

